American Pug (American Eskimo & Pug Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & More

Breed Overview

With a unique name like American Pug or Pug-A-Mo, you’ll have yourself a cute and fun mixed breed from the popular Pug and the amazing American Eskimo. The Pug is an enormously popular toy dog that is full of mischief and is loving and social, and the American Eskimo is a gorgeous fluffy dog that is clever, friendly, and eager to please. The Pug-A-Mo is an agreeable and affectionate dog that is also brave, curious and sweet-natured.

The Pug-A-Mo is a small dog that may have the pushed-in snout of the Pug as well as the Eskie “ruff” around his neck and a curled tail that may or may not have feathering. His coat isn’t usually as long as the Eskie’s and might not be as short as the Pugs. The Pug-A-Mo is more often than not white but could also be cream and will usually sport the Pug’s black face mask.

Pug-A-Mo Puppies

Pug-A-Mo Characteristics

The Pug-A-Mo is an energetic dog thanks to his Eskie parent but might have some sedentary behavior because of his Pug heritage. They are a healthy breed that has an average lifespan for a small dog. The Pug-A-Mo should be easy to train and are social dogs but might be a little wary of strangers until they get to know them.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Pug-A-Mo

1. The Pug-A-Mo is a great watchdog!

They are known to be both territorial and protective of their loved ones, and the Eskie side of them can also make them barkers. Combine these 3 traits, and you have yourself the perfect watchdog.

2. The Pug-A-Mo is prone to resource guarding.

Their territorial nature also means they tend towards aggression over their belongings and toys. However, they are not dangerous dogs by any means.

3. The Pug-A-Mo needs to spend most of his time with his family.

The Pug and the American Eskimo both are known to develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long, and this trait will more than likely be passed down to the Pug-A-Mo.

Temperament & Intelligence of Pug-A-Mos 🧠

The Pug-A-Mo loves to meet other dogs and people, but his territorial and protective nature also means that he is wary of strangers until he is introduced to them. He will then become their best friend and enjoy spending time with anyone he deems his friend.

The Pug-A-Mo is a smart dog that is highly curious and brave, which also means you should probably not let him off the leash unless in an enclosed space. He will want to investigate everything, which could send him running off to finish his explorations.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Pug-A-Mo is a wonderful family pet that gets along very well with children of all ages but do supervise for both your Pug-A-Mo’s and children’s protection. All children need to respect dogs, whether the dog is at home or belongs to a stranger, which means no riding a dog like a horse or pulling on ears and tails. The Pug-A-Mo is playful and loving and will enjoy spending time with the children but bear in mind that their resource guarding issue should be addressed while they are puppies.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Pug-A-Mo absolutely gets along well with other pets, including other dogs. If he has been properly socialized as a puppy, his territorial nature and resource guarding behavior shouldn’t be problematic with other animals.

Things to Know When Owning an American Pug:

Food & Diet Requirements

Start by shopping for a high-quality dry dog food that is meant for your Pug-A-Mo’s current activity level, size, and age (such as this one). If you follow the guidelines on the back of the kibble bag, it can help you determine the amount and how often you should be feeding your Pug-A-Mo. You can also follow-up with your veterinarian regarding your dog’s weight and health if there are any questions or concerns.

Exercise 🐕

If your Pug-A-Mo takes after his American Eskimo parent, he will likely be a very energetic and active dog. You’ll need to exercise him, at a minimum, for 45 minutes every day, which could also include playtime. Also, keep in mind that if your Pug-A-Mo has inherited his Pug parent’s muzzle, he might also inherit the Pug’s breathing problems (Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome), and you may need to go easy on the exercising, particularly on hot days.

Training 🦮

The Pug-A-Mo is reasonably easy to train thanks to his intelligence and loyalty to his owner. You’ll need to be firm and consistent to help temper some of his territoriality and resource guarding behavior but be sure to use lots of positive reinforcement throughout the training process. Your Pug-A-Mo should be a quick learner, and therefore, you can expect a happy and well-adjusted pet when he has been socialized and trained in this manner.

• You might also want to check out: Best Puppy Training Treats

Grooming ✂️

Depending on which parent your Pug-A-Mo takes after most, he will probably require a modest amount of grooming. His coat might be short like the Pugs or moderately long and double-coated like the Eskie. Therefore, be prepared to brush your Pug-A-Mo several times a week and possibly daily during the spring and fall shedding seasons. You should bath him only when necessary (usually a minimum of once a month) using a good dog shampoo.

Brush your Pug-A-Mo’s teeth about 2 or 3 times a week, trim his nails once every 3 to 4 weeks and clean his ears at least once a month (or as often as you think is necessary).

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Pug-A-Mo is a crossbreed and will not be quite as vulnerable to the same health issues as his purebred parents. However, it's a good idea to be familiar with some of the minor and more serious health conditions that the Pug and American Eskimo are predisposed to.

The vet will check your dog’s eyes and skin in addition to keeping an eye on his weight. If your dog takes after his Pug parent and seems to have breathing problems, your vet will use a laryngoscopy and tracheoscopy in order to diagnose the issue.

Your vet will check your Pug-A-Mo’s knees, hips, and run blood and urinalysis tests and possibly run CT scans to help rule out any of these issues.

Male vs. Female

Male American Pugs tend to be heavier and larger than females, but it also depends on which parent they take after most. Most of these dogs tend to measure 12 to 18 inches in height and weigh about 15 to 25 pounds. Usually, the male will edge closer to the bigger and heavier end of the scale and the female on the lighter and smaller side.

The next main difference is based on whether or not you decide to spay or neuter your dog. Neutering the male is not as complex a surgery as spaying the female, and therefore, you can expect a shorter recovery time and to pay less for the male dog. The obvious benefit of preventing pregnancy is not the only advantage. It can also help alleviate any aggressive tendencies, stop your dog from running off, and it can prevent future health conditions.

Lastly, some believe that there are behavioral differences between male and female dogs. It has been said that female dogs tend to be easier to train and are a little more affectionate than males, but there have been debates about this. Generally speaking, the true determination of most dog’s personalities is based on how they were socialized and trained as puppies and how they have been cared for as adult dogs.

Final Thoughts

Finding one of these amazing dogs will prove challenging since there were none available at this time. You can start by speaking to American Eskimo and Pug breeders and follow up by attending dog shows and talking to national and local dog clubs. In addition to this, post your search for a Pug-A-Mo on social media as out of the multitudes of people out there, there’s bound to be someone who can help you.

The Pug-A-Mo is a cuddly and active mixed breed that becomes very attached to his family. You need to be sure you have the time every day to devote to this sweet dog, and you’ll have yourself one of the best family dogs ever.

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay